Akiko Nishiyama, MD, PhD
University of Connecticut, Storrs Mansfield, CT
Term: 3/1/2019 – 2/29/2020
Project Overview
Individuals with MS experience a progressive loss of the myelin that surrounds nerve fibers, which causes deterioration of the transmission of nerve signals. In chronic cases of MS, myelin sheaths are not efficiently repaired. Recent studies have shown that signals from nerve cells can activate immature myelin-making cells to mature and make myelin sheaths. The goal of the project is to explore whether oligodendrocyte precursor cells secrete molecules that are important for the formation of myelin and maintenance of nerve cell health. The team is addressing this by using a model in which immature myelin-making cells are inhibited from secreting molecules, and they are using specific fluorescent dyes to visualize the processes involved. The findings from these studies could be exploited to develop new therapies to enhance myelin repair or prevent neurodegeneration in MS.
Project Overview
Individuals with MS experience a progressive loss of the myelin that surrounds nerve fibers, which causes deterioration of the transmission of nerve signals. In chronic cases of MS, myelin sheaths are not efficiently repaired. Recent studies have shown that signals from nerve cells can activate immature myelin-making cells to mature and make myelin sheaths. The goal of the project is to explore whether oligodendrocyte precursor cells secrete molecules that are important for the formation of myelin and maintenance of nerve cell health. The team is addressing this by using a model in which immature myelin-making cells are inhibited from secreting molecules, and they are using specific fluorescent dyes to visualize the processes involved. The findings from these studies could be exploited to develop new therapies to enhance myelin repair or prevent neurodegeneration in MS.